Most riders show drivers the respect they deserve. But some don’t—whether it’s leaving trash in the car, throwing up in the back seat after too much alcohol or asking a driver to break the speed limit so they can get to their appointment on time. This kind of poor behavior is not OK, which is why we will take action against passengers who are rude, abusive or violent.

If you’re accused of breaking one of Uber’s commandments — for instance “Uber has a no sex rule” (no sexual conduct between drivers and riders, having sex with another passenger during your ride is apparently merely frowned upon as long as it’s not UberPOOL), and “leave your guns at home” — they’ll open an investigation. Like an American Express Financial Review, you may not be able to use Uber while the investigation proceeds.

“If the issues raised are serious or a repeat offense, or you refuse to cooperate, you may lose access to Uber.”

“Any behavior involving violence, sexual misconduct, harassment, discrimination, or illegal activity while using Uber can result in the immediate loss of your account.”

Here’s the list of what can get you banned from Uber, quoting from the new policy:

Damaging drivers’ or other passengers’ property. For example, damaging the car, breaking or vandalizing a phone, intentionally spilling food or drink, smoking, or vomiting due to excessive alcohol consumption.

Physical contact with the driver or fellow riders. As our community guidelines make clear, you shouldn’t touch or flirt with other people in the car. As a reminder, Uber has a no sex rule. That’s no sexual conduct with drivers or fellow riders, no matter what. And you should never hit or otherwise hurt a driver or fellow passenger.

Use of inappropriate and abusive language or gestures. For example, asking overly personal questions, using verbal threats, and making comments or gestures that are aggressive, sexual, discriminatory, or disrespectful.

Unwanted contact with the driver or fellow passenger after the trip is over. For example, texting, calling, or visiting someone in person after a ride has been completed. Remember, in most countries you can call and text your driver directly from the Uber app without ever having to share your personal phone number. This means that your phone number stays anonymous and is never given to the driver.

Breaking the local law while using Uber. For example, bringing open containers of alcohol or drugs into the car; traveling in large groups that exceed the number of seat belts in the car; asking drivers to break local traffic laws such as speed limits; or using Uber to commit a crime, including drug and human trafficking or the sexual exploitation of children.

That’s all in addition to the firearms bad, and if they catch you “abusing promotions” or you ‘collude’ with a driver, “disput[e] fares for fraudulent or illegitimate reasons” or have “duplicate accounts” they may shut you down.

More From View from the Wing

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

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[…] NEW RULES: Here’s What Will Get You Kicked Off of Uber by View From The Wing. I disagree with Gary saying that he’s surprised they can afford to lose even one customer, Uber needs to be creating a safe working environment for their drivers and rules like these help enforce this. I personally don’t think Uber is doing enough on the driver side of things at the moment and that’s causing better quality drivers to leave – not a big issue currently but if it continues it could be. […]

as an ex uber driver, its all PR. none of that will get you kicked out of uber, usually, if the driver complains, HE/SHE is that one that gets kicked out of uber pretty quick. The customer is ALWAYS right, according to uber. Only exception is if the incident generates negative publicity for uber (usually when the driver seeks a social media conflagration), otherwise, the driver is told to “stop lying” or “deal with it”…

I was kicked off of Lyft when a driver lied and said I threatened her (she got completely lost, I missed a doctor’s appointment and I owed $50 for the missed appointment — which I got the call about in the car with her — and I told the driver I’d contact Lyft about arranging payment). Lyft said they did an “investigation,” but never asked me what happened, and that their finding was that I had physically threatened her. This was absurd, and I was going to fight it; but then I realized that I’m not going to give my money to a company that doesn’t want it.

About Gary Leff

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.

Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

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